Britain is set to make history as the first G7 country to completely phase out coal-fired power generation, with the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant operated by Uniper on Monday. This marks the end of over 140 years of coal power in the UK.
The move is a significant milestone in Britain’s energy transition, following the 2015 announcement to shut down coal plants within a decade as part of broader efforts to meet climate targets. At that time, coal accounted for nearly 30% of the nation’s electricity, a figure that plummeted to just over 1% last year.
“The UK has proven that it is possible to phase out coal power at unprecedented speed,” said Julia Skorupska, Head of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, a coalition of around 60 national governments dedicated to ending coal usage. The decline in coal power has significantly contributed to a reduction in the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, which have more than halved since 1990.
As part of its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Britain aims to decarbonize its electricity sector by 2030. This ambitious goal will necessitate a rapid increase in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks commented, “The era of coal might be ending, but a new age of good energy jobs for our country is just beginning.” With energy emissions comprising around three-quarters of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, experts emphasize the need to cut fossil fuel usage to align with the targets set by the Paris climate agreement.
In April, G7 leaders agreed to phase out coal power by the early 2030s, but allowed flexibility for countries that rely heavily on coal, which drew criticism from environmental groups. Christine Shearer, a research analyst at Global Energy Monitor, noted the urgent need for progress, particularly in countries like Japan, the U.S., and Germany, where coal still makes up significant portions of their energy mix.
As Britain turns the page on coal, the focus will now shift to sustainable energy and the creation of new job opportunities in the green sector.